Case conveyer and associated control mechanism



Oct. 1 1932' J. J. MOJONNIER 1,382,436

CASE CONVEYER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 15. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 www- Oct. 11, 1932-. J. J. MOJONNIER 1,882,435

CASE CQNVEYER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 13, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmnm JNYENTOH.

0a. 11, 1932. J. J MOJONNIER 1,882,436

CASE CONVEYER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 13, 1932 3 Shuts-Sheet 5 i I H 44 56 T38 59 INVENTOE.

3o ter the main channel.

Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEIV JULIUS J. MOJ'ONNIER, or OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, AssIoNoR 'r'o MOJONNIER BROS. (30.,

A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CASE GONVEYER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL MECHANISM v Application filed April 13,

The present invention relates to case conveyers and associated control mechanisms and has for its principal object to provide a conveyer and mechanism such that cases carried by the conveyer may be quickly seized and firmly held against advance whenever in the operation of the system injury might result from their continued advance. The action is also preferably automatic.

In carrying out the invention I preferably employ pneumatic mechanism in association with a conveyer of the drag type. This gives me the advantage of having an independent source of power for actuating the stop device 5 instead of employing that power which should be used in the advancing operation of the conveyer.

Certain novelty in my arrangement will 0 be found in the control valve parts and in the manner in which they are mounted, especially in respect to the channel along which the actuating cases pass.

Usually the invention finds its 'utility where two or more conveyer channels con- I verge and the cases flowing down these channels unite in a stream continuing on down a common channel. With such. a relation of channels, it is necessary to keep the'cases from interfering with each other as they en- This is commonly done by giving one of the tributary channels the right of way over the other tributary channels. Where my invention is employed, cases flowing down the dominating channel actuate a pneumatic valve and the latter con-- trols a supply of compressed air to an actuating cylinder, and the cylinder, in turn, drives its piston to project a stop into the path of travel of the cases in the subservient channel to prevent their passing on until the conditions in the dominating channel warrant such movement. 7

From these general statements some idea of the nature and objects of the invention will 48 be had but for a complete understanding of the same reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connecti on with the accompanying drawings while 7 7 the scope of the invention will be particularly set forth in the appended claims.

1932. Serial No. 604,941.

In said drawings, Fig. 1;is a plane view of a case conveyer and associated control mecha-. nism constructed and arranged in accord ance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the same illustrat ing more particularly the pneumatic mechanism on a somewhat larger'scale; Fig. 3 is an end View of the pneumatic mechanism "of Fig. 2, parts being shown in section taken on a plane indicated bythe line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail elevation of the pneumatic valve and connections-in the cylinder charging position, portions of the samebeing shown in section to bring out more fully the relation of the ports; Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the valve in cylinder exhausting position; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same mechanism, the plane of section being indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; andFig. 7 'is a longitudinal vertical section of the stop actuating cylinder. Throughout these views like characters refer to like parts.

The particular embodiment disclosed comprises a through main conveyer A, a branch conveyer B which discharges into the main conveyer, main conveyer chains 0, D, ,a branch conveyer .chain E, cases F traveling in the main channel, cases G traveling inthe branchchannel, the stop member .H by which the cases G are held, the stop actuating cylinder J, the valve K for controlling the supply of compressed air to the cylinder and the exhausting of the same therefrom the rocker frame L by which the valve is operated.

.Viewed in one way, there is a main channel A and one branch channel B. Viewed in another way there are two branch channels which unite to form a common channel.-

The channels A and B preferably have the general construction of the conveyer channels of my prior Patents Nos. 1,7 55,450 and 1,804,701, dated respectively, April '22, 1930 and May 12, 1931.. This construct-ion, which is preferably of metal throughout, includes posts 10, transverse bars 11, guideways for the conveying chains which take the form of angle bars 12 for thecurves and channel bars 13 for the straight stretches. Then there are the side walls 14 for confining the articles within the channels and'the floor members 15 which are preferably vertically disposed strips which terminate at their upper edges in planes which lie slightly below the upper contacting faces of the chains. The various frame parts may be secured together in any preferred way or ways. Commonly this is done by welding or bolting.

The chains C, D, E is all of the drag type capable of drawing along articles by frictional contact with them and then slipping freely under them without breakage in case they become stalled or jammed in the passage.

The chain Cmay be of the type capable only of vertical flexure' or it may be capable of both vertical and lateral flexure, as desired. If the sametravels in a right line throughout thechannel A, then it need not have the lateral fle'xure but may be constructed like that of my prior Patent No. 1,755,450. If, however, the chain C is required'to pass around horizontal curves at any point or points in its travel, then it should be of the double fleXure type, such as, for example, disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,804,701. lVhat is said of the chain C also ap'pliesto the chain D.

The chain E cannot be of the straight type but must be capable of both vertical and lateral flexure since it must pass around a horizontal curve as it leads out of the branch channel B into the main channel A. The chain E is therefore of the type shown in my prior Patent No. 1,804,701. These conveyer chains are drivenand guided by sprocket wheels after-the manner disclosed in my aforesaid patents. For straight runs, the channels 1.3 suflice to guide the chains, but preferably angle irons 12 are used where the chain travels around a curve, the lateral thrust, in that case being taken up by the vertical arm of the angle bar. These guiding members 12 and 13 are preferably supported directly upon the cross bars 11.

As before noted, the upper article engaging surfaces of the chains C, D, E, are,

at any given cross section, at a slight elevation above the associated floor members.

The cases F are those which travel along channel A and the cases G are those which travel along the branch, channel B. Were no provision made against interferences, ob viously the cases F and G would jam together at the junction point and thus interfere with the proper operation of the conveyer. It is to meet this condition that the stop H is provided.

The stop H consists of a pair of plates 16 which are. spaced apart and secured at one end to anintervening sleeve 17 and at the other 'end provided .with a pin 18 which serves as the axle of an antifriction roller or wheel 19. The spaced members 16 are apertur'ed in line with the opening through the sleeves'17 so thatthe same may be passed over a pivotpin 20. A transverse pin 21 through the plates 38, 38 of the structure.

the collar 17 firmly secures the members 16 to the pin 20. The pin 20 in turn is journaled in a bearing 22 secured to the adjacent side wall 14 of the channel'B. The lower end of the pin 20 is provided with acollar 23 and a transverse pin 24 holds the collar in place upon the pin( Thus I have a substantial stop member which is capable of occupyingthe full line positionof Fig. 2 or the dotted line position of that figure. When in the full line position, the wheel 19 engages the forward corner of the oncoming case G and holds it against further advance. As clearly shown in the figure the case G at this time presses against the opposite wall 14 of the channel B. The free ends of theplates 16,

forming the stop H, are notched or provided with a hook-like shoulder 24 So long as the roller 19 is in service, the shoulder 24. performs no'stopping function, but should the roller 19 be broken off or otherwise removed, N

then the shoulder 24 would engage the adjacent forward end of the case G, whenever the stop H was actuated by the piston rod 30.

The stop member H is normally held in its dotted line position by a coiled retracting spring 25 which is secured at one end to the free end of the upper member 16 of the stop and at its other end to a post 26 extending upward from a base 27 upon which the cylinder J is mounted. The base 27 is preferably secured to the adjacent side wall 144 of the channel B and for this it is provided with a downwardly extending flange 28 through which retaining bolts 29 pass. The center of the'stop member H is connected to the piston rod 30 associated'with the cylinder I J. This rod is flattened at its outer end and passes between the members 16 of the stop member. and a pivot bolt 31 .pivotally secures the stop member to theend of the piston rod. The cylinder J comprises the heads 32, 33 and the tubular body 34, all suitably secured together. The piston rod 30 extends through the piston 35 within the cylinder and is securely held to the piston by large retaining nuts 36.. The piston 35 includes an intermediate ring 37 of leather or other flexible material which is securely clamped between The heads 32, 33 are provided with feet 39, 40, which restupon the base 27 and are secured thereto by suitable means such as the bolts 41, 42. The head '33 is provided with-a large central opening 43 through which the piston rod 30 passes. This end of the cylinder is, as will be obvious, open to atmosphere. The other end of the cylinder is designed to receive compressed air through the supply pipe 44. which is suitably threaded into an opening in the head 32.

Connection for the passage of compressed air between the valve K and cylinder J is provided by pipes 44, 45,46, 47, 48 which are interconnected by suitable elbows. The

final elbow 4:9 is threaded into base 50 and communicates with the valve port 51. Con nection from valve K to the source of compressed air (not shown) is provided by pipes 52, 53, joined by elbow 54. The pipe 52 is threaded into an opening in the base 50 of the valve and communicates with the valve port 55. In addition to the valve ports 51, 55

there is the exhaust port 56 also formed in he base 50 and communicating with atmosphere.

The valve K includes the base 50, which has been previously referred to, and the valve member 57 whichrotates upon the base and has formed in its face a transverse port or passage 58. The base 50 is suitably secured to the frame structure by a bracket 59 through the instrumentality of holding screws 60. In the present instance the upper end of the bracket 59 is secured to the adjacent channel wall ll by means of machine screws 61 and associated nuts 62. The valve member 57 is firmly secured to the valve stem 63 by suitable means such as the key 64. The stem 63 extends through the base 50 and is free to rotate in the same. It also extends through the boss 64 of the bracket 59 and finds a bearing therein. The bearing thus provided is lubricated through suitable passages and an inlet provided with a grease cup 65. The more distant end of the valve stem 63 is journaled in a bracket 66 which also extends outward from the adjacent wall 14 of the channel A. This bracket is secured in turn by bolts 67 provided with nuts 68. The boss 68 at the end of the bracket furnishes a bearing for the spindle 63 and in this case a grease cup 69 is also provided in conjunction with appropriate lubricating passage.

For the purpose of rotating the spindle 63 and thereby rotating the valve member 57 upon base member 50, I provide the rocker frame L which includes two transverse arms 70, which are secured at their inner ends to the stem 63 and at their outer ends to a long bar 72 which is for the most part straight and parallel to the axis of the channel A but has a curved extension 73 at its receiving end. The rocker frame L, comprising these parts, is adapted to be engaged by the cases F as they travel along the channel A and to be rocked from the normal dotted line of Fig. 3 to the full line position of that figure. lVhen in the dotted line position, the valve K occupies the position illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the valve passage 58 connects the cylinder port 51 directly with the atmospheric port 56 and thus connects the cylinder directly to atmosphere. At this time the compressed air which is contained in the piping leading to the valve will be cut off by reason of the closed condition of port 55. WVhen case F encounters the rocker frame L and moves it from the dotted line position'to the full line position of Fig. 3',

then the parts assume the position illustrated in Fig.4,and now the atmospheric port 56 is closed and the air supply port 55 The valve member 57 is held firmly upon its seat by means of the coiled spring 74: which presses at one end against the bracket 59 and at the other end against a nut 75 threaded on phe end of the stem 63 and held by a loclr nut I The rocker frame -L is held in its normal position by a weight 77 which is provided with a ring which fits over ahook 7 8 upon an arm 79 projecting from the rocker frame at an angle to the. vertical.

Obviously, in carrying out my invention certain changes and alterations may be made in the embodimentshown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described but aim to cover by the appended claims all those alterations and modifications which rightly come within the purview of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A case conveyer and associated control mechanism comprising a plurality of conveyer channels meeting at a junction point, a frictional drag chain for carrying said channels, a stop in one of said channels near said junction point for engaging cases to hold them against travel, a pneumatic cylinder. a piston actuated by compressed air in said cylinder to operate said stop, a source of compressed air, a valve and connections for controlling the supply of air from said source to said cylinder to operate said piston, and means in the path of travel of the cases in another of said channels near said junction point for actuating said valve to admit compressed air to said cylinder and exhaust it therefrom.

2. A case conveyer and associated control mechan sm comprising a plurality of conveyer channels. frictional drag chains for carrying cases along said channels, astop in a first channel. for engaging oases therein to hold them against travel, a pneumatic cylinder. a piston actuated by compressed air in said cylinder to operate said stop, a compressed air supply, a valve and connections for controlling the application of compressed air from said supply to said cylinder,'and means in the path of travel of the cases in a second channel for actuating said valve to admit air to and exhaust air from said cylinder,

3. A case conveyer and associated control mechanism comprising a conveyer channel, a frictional drag chain in said channel for cases along carrying cases therealong, a pivoted stop arm having its free end extending into the path of travel of cases carried by said chain, a retractile spring secured at one end to the free end of said stop arm and at its other end to a fixed point, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod for said piston connected to said stop arm, a second channel for the con veying of cases, fixed supports along said second channel, a valve stem journaled in said supports and extending substantially parallel to said second channel, a rocker frame secured to said stem and projecting at its free end into said channel to be rocked by a case therein engaging the same, a fixed valve seat, tubular connections With parts thereof extending to a compressed air source, to said cylinder and to atmosphere, a valve on said stem cooperating with said valve seat, a compression spring about said stein firmly seating said valve against said seat, and means for restoring said valve 'tonormal, or' cylinder exhausting, position Whenever said rocker frame is free.

JULIUS J'. M OJ ONNIER 

